Cooking apparatus



NISENSON 2,654,307

COOKING APPARATUS Filed March 7, 1951 INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COOKING APPARATUS Jules Nisenson, Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y. Application March 7, 1951, Serial No. 214,287

4 Claims. I

This invention relates generally to cooking apparatus, and more particularly to detachable structure, by means of which a conventional kitchen stove having an oven may be converted into an efiicient rotisserie or barbecuing device.

While portable rotisseries are now available for household use, such devices are relatively costly, and oftentimes where the need for such a device is relatively small, this cost becomes prohibitive. In the instant invention, owing to the relative simplicity of structure, a similar cooking eifect can be created while utilizing the conventional gas or electric stove present in. substantially every kitchen.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide structure of the class described in which the temporary installation on and detachment thereof from the oven compartment of a stove may be a relatively simple matter.

Another object of the invention herein lies in the provision of a rotisserie attachment for stoves in which the attachment thereto and detachment therefrom may be accomplished in an expedient manner without the use of special tools.

A further object of the invention herein lies in the provision of structure which may be relatively foolproof in operation, and in which the component parts thereof may not be accidentally detached when the device is in use.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that a single size of device may be readily adapted to fit a varying number of sizes of ovens.

Another feature of the invention lies in the fact that when the device is in operation, the skewer element is securely latched to one of the bearing elements in such manner that while it may rotate freely within said bearing element, it cannot become disengaged therefrom until it is desired to remove the same from the oven at the completion of the cooking operation.

A further object of the invention herein lies in the provision of structure of the class described in which the cost of manufacture may be of a relatively low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Still another feature of the invention herein lies in the provision of structure which may be readily disassembled after removal from the oven in such manner as to facilitate the storage thereof when not in use. In the instant device, it is possible after disassembly to place all of the components thereof in a box or other container of relatively small dimensions.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a view in erspective showing an embodiment of the invention installed in position within the oven compartment of a conventional gas or electric stove ready for the positioning of food upon the skewer element prior to operation.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation, partly in section, and partly broken away to show details of structure of one of the bearing elements which comprises a part of the device.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation showing the engagement of a bearing element with a portion of the oven structure within which the bearing element is placed, when the device is in operation.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing details of the skewer element which comprises another part of the device.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 6-6 on Figure 5.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character It! comprises broadly: a skewer element l2, a first bearing element [4, a second bearing element power transmitting means mover 20.

The skewer element is of generally elongated configuration, including a tubular rod member 22. terminating at one end thereof in a relatively sharp point 24 to facilitate the engagement of meat or other food thereupon. Slidably disposed upon the central portion of the rod member 22 are a pair of opposed food positioning members 26 and 28, each being provided with centrally directed tines 30 and a set screw 32 which assures the rotation of the food should there not be sufficient friction between it and the member 22.

At the driven end of the rod member 22 there is provided a bearing collar 34 which, when engaged with the bearing element l6 prevent any axial movement of the skewer element while the same is being rotated. Riding upon the surface of the groove 35 of the bearing collar 34 and having a relatively loose frictional engagement therewith is a safety lock member 31, generally disk shaped and having a plurality of curved slots 39 engageable with a pin 4| on the bearing element It when the skewer element I2 is being rotated, as will be more fully described hereinbelow. Secured to the threaded portion 38 of the rod member 22 is a handle stop member 40 which positions the handle 42 so as to prevent direct engagement with the pinion gear 36, and

l6, l8 and a prime.-

to facilitate its removal. The handle 42 may be formed from any suitable material, but is preferably of a material having heat insulating properties, such as wood or the like to enable the skewer element 12 to be removed from the device while in a relatively heated condition. Engagement with the threaded portion 38 is enabled by internal threads 44 disposed within the body of the handle 42. As may be seen on Figure 5,tl ie suspmember 40 prevents the pinion3l from becoming disengaged from the skewer element [2" when the handle 42 is removed, thereby pl evehifirigl'clss' of relatively small parts when the device is disassembled.

The bearing element F4 may be formed from planar metallicstock; and includes a vertically disposed supporting serum 45 having an arduat bearing surface 48 witl'i'in which a pbrticnof" the rod member 22 turns. A- horizontally disposed mounting-peruse iii includes a} resilient engagement member 52 Havin caniportions-i4 to facilitate eligagement-With-th'e rods 112 which comprise a part of the grate 186, which grate is usually a part of the conventional stove H30;

Theengag'ement member 52 is permanently secured' to themouritingjpojrtion 58 upon a cup like depression 53' by'suitable means such as the rivets 551 the" depression 53 forming the clearance necessary to accommodate the rods H2 when the'samear'e engaged. 7

The bearing element i 6 providessimilar supportfor the" opposite-end of the skewer element I2, arid in addition" provides means whereby p'ower fromthe prii'ne'mover 2G is transmitted to the=skewer element if. It includes a; supporting member 56 having a horizontal portion 58 Ind a vertical portion Gui The'engagement member 52 issimila'r to the engagement member 52, anais mounted upon the cup-like" depression 65 by rivets 61. l I

The pivotal member B4 is preferably formed" from a single stampifig to include a downwardly extending. portion 66' and an upper portion 66"; The entire. pivotal member 64 is rotatably secured tothe supporting: member 56" by the nut and bolt in: Anothefp'air of nuts and bolts 12 and 14 ride in the arcuately: shaped slots 'lfiand 18 so that the" pbitior'i'fifi may be-made tdclear the grate Hit when required. A portion ofthe metallic stockfrom whichthe element 16 isformed is punched outwardly to forma bracket- 80 which bracket servesto support the powertransmitting means l8. v

Themeans l8 includes-a shaft'82-upon which there is mounted a worm gear 84 which-meshes= with the pinion gear 3liwhen theskewer element- 1 2 ispositioned upon the bearing. elements i4-and- 16'. The 'shaft fifforms a part of a frictionallyengaged coupling 86 whichmay be of-a type in which interlocking arts. halving polygonal; crosssections are engaged; Thus, there is-provided-aplugfmem'ber 88 which is insertable into-a socket-- member 90," the last mentioned-member bein joined to a flexible shaft 92 which-extends-fromthe prime mover 20:

The primemover "21!- is preferably in the-forriiof" afractional horse lifiWBi electric meter- 4 tion of the oven door I04 to prevent the same from interfering with the shaft 92 to prevent its rotation.

As has been mentioned; the device H) is eng ageable with a wide variety of kitchenstoves, an example being shown in dash lines on Figure l and indicated generally by reference character 1 00. Such stoves are usually provided with an oven P82 which when used for baking purposes is closed by the door I04. Disposed within the oven are a pair" of grate support members one of which i's-shown at IDB, which serves to position the gratelflfi at a suitable distance from the bot-- tom of the oven. The grate is generally made from welded steel rods to include the rods H2, an is bounded by the peripheral member un. when installing the device the bearing element [4' is" engaged between two rods H2 by slipping the member 52 through the space betweeii trite adjoining rods after which a twist through 90 in either direction' will engage the" element securely. The bearing element i6 is installed in a somewhat sir'nilar manner, the pivotal member 64 being first rotated in a. counterclockwise direction as seen on Figure 1 to: enable the por tion 66 to clear the'peripheral member l'l0l The element I6 is, of course, mounted at the entermost'edge of the" grate N35 to enable the flexible" shaft 92 to properly connect with the prime mover 2%. After the engagement of the member 52 the pivotal member 64 is" rotated in a clock wisedirec'tio'n to the p'osition'shown on Figure 1 wherein the extended portion 66'overlapsthe-pe ripher al member I m. In this position, the bear ing element It cannot be removed from engagement with the grate I06 without first-rgtating the pivotal member a counterclockwisedirection" after which it must be twisted about a vertical axis. This' structiire prevents the entire device from becoming disaligned or disengaged from the stove during the barbecuingoperatio'n. The pri'nl'e rr'io'vt'aii 20 together with the-at tached flexible shaft 92' are thenengaged, he; clamp 98 being tightenedupqnthe side-wall of the stove I00, and theshaftSZ being engaged-at the coupling 86. The skewer element i2 is then engaged withthe meat or other food to be cooked iri a well knotvfi'nianher; the positioning mem-' bers 26 and 28 serving-to center the food upon the rodrriember' 2'2'. In-positioning the-skewer element l2 upon'the bearing elements Mend-i6, the'bearing" collar 34 is so engaged that the-pin 4i'which is mounted'upon the pivotal-'member may engage one of the slots 39. This wilt simulta'neeuslyposition the pinion gear 36 intoengagemefit with the worm 84, and the safety lock-member 3! may therfbe' rotated in a--countercloekwise direction as seen on Figures-'1; and 6- to s'atth'e pin 41 at the end of one of the-slots "39'." Shouldth uses-tunings inadvertence for get to securely lock' the skewer element" l2 to the bearing element 16 by this means, upon starting the'prirrie mover 20, the friction-existirfgbe tweenthe member 3'l'and the rodmember" 22"will accomplish-the same resulm- Oncethe;

pin has become fully seated, the member'flwillride about-therodmember 22: while always maintaining the pin 4! in the position shown'om Figure 6 with respect to one of theslots 39:- Atthis point the handle 42 isdetached-from-the member 91, at which point further inward motion is prevented. The oven I02 is then started in a normal manner, after which the switch 96 is closed to rotate the skewered food impaled upon the element I2.

Upon completion of the cooking operation, the switch 96 is opened, permitting the device to come to a stop. Upon the opening of the door I04 and allowing hot gases to escape, the handle 40 is reengaged by rotation in a clockwise direction, after which the entire skewer element l2 may be turned by the handle in a slightly counterclockwise direction to permit the safety lock member 3'! to become disengaged from the pin 4|. The entire skewer element l2 may then be lifted bodily by the handle 42 to permit the food to he slid from the rod member 22. Since at the time the handle 42 is being reengaged, the skewer element I2 is securely locked to the bearing element I 6, the reengagement may be made by using only one hand, it being impossible for the rod member l2 to slide from engagement with either bearing element M or l6.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in cooking apparati in which there is provided a simple and convenient attachment structure which may be readily engaged with the conventional kitchen stove to convert the oven portion thereof into an efficient rotisserie or barbecue. The device is substantially foolproof in operation, thus affording the ultimate in safety to the user. Additionally it may be manufactured at a very low cost and can with minor modification be adapted to practically any kitchen stove. The device is conveniently installed and removed in a matter of moments, and the skewer element may be positioned or disengaged with great facility.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the exact details of structure shown and set forth in the specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A bracket element for use in conjunction with a cooking device having a grate including parallel grate rods, and adapted to be positioned in resilient engagement between a pair of said grate rods, said bracket element comprising: a bearing surface, a mounting portion and an engagement member; said mounting portion and said engagement member having an efiective dimension greaterthan the distance between said pair of grate rods; said engagement member being fixed upon said mounting portion in parallel relationship thereto at the central parts thereof, whereby said central parts may be positioned between said pair ofgrate rods and portions of the opposing surfaces of said mounting portion and said engagement member may be positioned to engage said grate rods therebetween.

2. A bracket element for use in conjunction with a cooking device having a grate including parallel grate rods, and adapted to be positioned in resilient engagement between a pair of said grate rods, said bracket element comprising: a bearing surface, a mounting portion and an engagement member; said mounting portion and said engagement member having an effective dimension greater than the distance between said pair of grate rods; said engagement member being fixed upon said mounting portion in parallel relationship thereto at the centra1 parts thereof, whereby said central parts may be positioned between said pair of grate rods and portions of the opposing surfaces of said mounting portion and said engagement member may be positioned to engage said grate rods therebetween; said engagement member having cam portions to facilitate engagement with said grate rods.

3. A bracket element for use in conjunction with a cooking apparatus having a grate including parallel grate rods and a peripheral grate member, and adapted to be positioned in engagement between a pair of said grate rods, said bracket element comprising: a supporting member including a horizontal mounting portion and a vertical portion; an engagement member fixed upon said horizontal mounting portion in spaced parallel relationship thereto, at the central parts thereof; said horizontal mounting portion and said engagement member having an elfective dimension greater than the distance between said pair of grate rods; a pivotal member rotatably secured to said vertical portion of said supporting me d avi a downwardly extending portion, the lowermost end of which extends below said orizontal portion of said support member; whereby said central parts may be positioned between said pair of grate rods and portions of the opposing surfaces of said horizontal portion and said engagement member may be positioned to engage a pair of grate rods therebetween; said pivotal member being movable to simultaneously engage a portion of said peripheral grate member.

4. A bracket element for use in conjunction with a cooking apparatus having a grate including parallel grate rods and a peripheral grate member, and adapted to be positioned in engagement between a pair of said grate rods, said bracket element comprising: a supporting member including a horizontal mounting portion and a vertical portion; an engagement member fixed upon said horizontal mounting portion in spaced parallel relationship thereto, at the central parts thereof; said horizontal mounting portion and said engagement member having an effective dimension greater than the distance between said pair of grate rods; a pivotal member rotatably secured to said vertical portion of said supportingmember, and having a downwardly extending portion, the lowermost end of which extends below said horizontal portion of said support member; whereby said central parts may be positioned between said pair of grate rods and portions of the opposing surfaces of said horizontal portion and said engagement member may be positioned to engage a pair of grate rods therebetween; said pivotal member being movable to simultaneously engage a portion of said peripheral grate member; and means to limit the path of motion of said pivotal member.

J ULES NISENSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 568,962 Skeels Oct. 6, 1896 572,745 Dietz Dec. 8, 1896 1,766,075 Humphrey June 24, 1930 1,939,135 Ratigan Dec. 12, 1933 2,348,545 Kahn May 9, 1944 2,388,831 Cramer Nov. 13, 1945 2,485,890 Keljik Oct. 25, 1949 2,524,138 Raley Oct. 3, 1950 

